"You did your job remarkably well, even though I was skeptical of your ability, you have left me impressed."

What was Keial saying to me right now?

It's... over?

"Whatever you want, no matter the price, I will provide and keep my end of the bargain, just tell me what it is, and I'll make it so."

Keial was looking at me, but something was different, and while I expected this day to come, right now I didn't expect it to be this very moment.

My name was cleared and I was... free to leave... So then why, why did Keial look... sad?

I didn't understand, all this time, since I agreed to this messed up relationship with him, Keial had belittled me, threatened me, and even made it clear that he was not someone I could disrespect.

He had killed someone in front of me, used me, and more so, humiliated me the first time he met me.

So, why?

Why....

"It's over then." I swallowed hard, sitting up straight and staring at the spot between his feet.

"I..." I look at him and ignore the clenching pain I feel in my chest as I look into his eyes.

"Thank you." I swallowed hard and gripped the bedsheet beside me.

It was over, there was nothing left to say, whatever I did say from here on out, I would only embarrass myself further, and be a laughing stock.

If this was the end, then I wanted to leave with my head held high and stick to my word, 'just business. nothing personal'.

"Then... I only want one thing, my things... I didn't get them back, and uh... to say goodbye to my friends." I said emotionlessly, moving to get out of bed and pick up my clothes to put them on.

"Is that all?" He asked, as I robotically dressed myself, not looking his way.

"Yes."

The silence was too much, my heart was breaking into a million pieces, and it was all my fault for letting myself get too attached to this person, this person who is out of reach, and for good reason.

I had been a fool, a stupid ... stupid fool.

"So, you plan to leave this place?" He asked, his voice strange as I nodded my head, and pulled up my trousers, trying my best not to look in his direction.

"Where will you go?"

"What will you do?"

"How will you hunt alone?"

"How will you survive outside these walls?"

I didn't answer him, because I didn't know, all I did know was that if this was over, I couldn't be here.

"You don't have to leave just because this pretend relationship is over, I can provide you a place to live, a job if you wish, and servants of your own." Keial walked over to me until I felt him stand behind me, making me flinch.

"And why would I do that?" I mumbled, putting my shirt over my head.

"Because I'm here!" Keial grabbed my shoulder roughly and made me turn around to face him.

Keial looked at how I felt, which looked bizarre to me as I had never seen this man.

This powerful King looked anything but that, powerful, confident, and scared of nothing, but that was not who stood in front of me.

"I am no fool, I see how you look at me, even if I was a fool to realize this all too late." Keial said roughly, making my heart skip a beat as I stared up at him.

"I..." Keial stops, then closes his eyes then once he opens them again, they are softer.

"I can feel it, how you feel about me, I could feel it this entire time, your fear, your hate, and... your love, and there was a reason for that Felix, a reason I ignored and controlled because I knew you couldn't feel it due to being branded as traitor, I used you."

What was he-

"That ring on your finger isn't so I can find you, it's a ring of significant importance to me, and something I can only give to someone in particular, do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Kei-" Keial grabbed hold of my hand, the same hand that wore his ring, and brought it to his lips, where he kissed my finger whilst his eyes never left mine.

"I'm not who you want in a lover, and I know I am everything you fear and hate, but I am also a man who can... adapt, and prove himself if given the opportunity."

I must have lost my mind, hit my head somewhere, and died, because this just wasn't possible, Keial telling me this just wasn't real.

This wasn't the man I had grown to despise, and then care for, it was like his walls were down, and he was showing me a side of him he had never shown anyone before.

This was the real Keial, standing in front of me, being honest.

"Why are you saying this." I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead as I took a step back.

"It doesn't change anything, it's impossible, it's just not realistic... I can never, we can never- I can't, I won't be your concubine, Keial." I force out, as I feel warm hands hold my face, making me open my eyes.

"I will never take a wife, and I will never bear an heir if you stay here with me."

"You want me to stay?" The words felt foreign on my tongue, as Keial's glowing eyes stared deep into mine, with a look I had never seen before.

"Yes."

"But how will that work..." It hurt that he was giving me false hope, but in the end, it would always come down to this.

It still isn't enough, he had a fiancee, his childhood friend, if he gave up all that for me then-

"I don't have a Fiance, that was just something our fathers, when they were alive, thought would be a 'good investment for the future generation'." Keial said sarcastically, then sighed heavily.

"But-"

"Are you looking for reasons to make me get down on my knees and beg you, or do you enjoy seeing me like this?" He asked, and whilst it sent a shiver down my spine, I wasn't afraid, if anything, I felt like he was lightly teasing me.

If what he was saying was true, then why even start this to begin with, what was the real reason, and why me, why go through all of this trouble just to avoid marriage?

I had to know, screw taking it slow, if I was going to leave, I had nothing to hold me back, not the fear of his reaction, or facing rejection, it was now or never.

"Then tell me the real reason why you did all this, why you had to lie and pretend you had a lover, why you were nice one minute and cold the next, tell me why..."

"Tell me." I grabbed onto his arm, and begged with my eyes, as he looked down at me, his jaw clenched and his eyes stoic.

Keial didn't say anything, and after waiting for him to speak, I couldn't take it anymore, so I picked up my shoes and walked to his bedroom door just as I went to open it, Keial's hand on the door stopped me.

"I can't take a wife, or have heirs, and for the longest time I thought I was cursed, that is the real truth to why I did what I did." Keial chuckled darkly, as I slowly turned around to face him.

"It wasn't until I saw you, this rogue, covered in mud, and wet from the snow, who had just moments ago evaded death, only to land right at my feet, and have my life finally start to make sense."

Keial, hold on, what was he-

Keial got down on one knee, and held my hand in his, as he kissed the ring on my finger, his golden eyes looking at me in awe, as I could do nothing but watch in complete and utter amazement at what was happening.

"You and I were bound to meet that day, Felix, because I was always meant to be with you, it's why I can hear your thoughts, feel your emotions, and why I can't bear to let you go."

"I'm your mate, Felix, and if you choose to stay, I accept you, with everything that I am."